The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1887-09-01
CORRESPONDENCE.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. 20. 1887

WASHINGTON, D. c., Aug. g. 1887.
EDITOR HERALD:
1t is more than seventy years since the
British red coats entered Washington, and
spread confusion and dismay among the few
thousand Inhabitants that then composed
the FAINT city, and burnt the capitol build
ing. the White House, public library and
s ,yeral buildings of less importance
President Madison, fearing the Interior OBJ
ject of the invading foe was the capture of
his person, mounted horse, and solitary
and alone, made speedy haste for the forest
north OF the city, while his wife maintained
possession of the White House until forced
out by the devouring flames and sought
refuge in a brick structure GA what is now
known as II st. For some time after this it
was occupied as the Executive Mansion,
presided over by the witty and vivacious
Dolly Madison, and its old walls contain
perhaps as much history as those of any
other building in Washington. But this old
landmark, that has stood the gaze of thous-
andss for as many years, is now being
thoroughly remodeled and modernized, and
in a few weeks all of its old characteristics
rich in history and memory, will ha faded
away, and ii will be swallowed up in the
Washington of the present. We Americans
are peculiar people, and have small vener-
alton for the things of the past. What few
monuments we have of the olden time are
being rapidly blotted out. A foreigner has
said that america is great in all things but
relics" Another century could make us
great in these If we would only stay the
hand of vandalism and save to the future
these monuments that have such eloquent
and instructive tongues and ought TO in
spire us with feelings of patriotism and
veneration.
In every annual legislative appropriation
bill congress itemizes every thing it can
possibly think of, even to oil, Irvine, wrap
ping paper, etc., appropriates the estimated
amount to meet all these expenses, and then
1t Jumps in under the head of contingent
miscellaneous items about $4,000 every
year. This amount is seldom adeouate To
meet the call and nearly every session ap-
proprlates an additional amount, by Joint
resolution, of from $4,000 to $4,000 This
fund is under control OF the committee on
accounts. who certify to the diSbursing Of
ficer what bills shall be paid, the committee
being the sole judges as to the legitimacy CT
the expenditure. Under this head is dumped
in the funeral expenses of deceased men,
bers. How this idea originated of burying
members at public expense, 1 have not been
able to fully ascertain, but have searched
the records somewhat carefully, and find 1t
has been the practice from the first congress
which met March 4th, l7Se, until the present
time. and has grown in enormity from less
than $500 in the first instance to nearly So
QUO In quite recent case. Among the items
in this Instance that aggregate so much, are
found an expensive coffin, sashes and gloves
for the escort. daily papers and kilograms on
the journey, magnificent parlor and dining
cars, porter tips, choice cigars and liberal
supply OF "appolonaris water" which right
~ interpreted means anything drinkabls
that the palate may crave or the force of
habit call for. II this were an Isolated case
it might be treated with impunity, but 1
find in looking up the record that 92 senators
and I75 represen tatives have died during
their term of Office and been buried at public
expense. Is it not time to relegate this Gus
tom to the shades.